Game May be Over, but I'm not finished...Yet!

 January 7, 2012

March 31, 2012

Ok, so I didn't win, but I still feel successful.  I have never posted any pictures of me doing something like this, but maybe this will help me to stay motivated and focused.  My goal is to be at my ideal weight by the time Bridger returns from his mission.  I am not quitting.  I will stay motivated and doing this, even if at times it feel like it is killing me.  This really is quite brave of me, or dumb.  I hope I don't regret it.  I have been running a little competition for 6, 12 week rounds of bthebiggestloser.blogspot.com  It has seen some amazing results for average people trying to get healthy and maybe win a little $$$ in the process.  So far, I have not won the big $$$ but I have not gained any that I have lost back.  I'm bound and determined to continue this journey and finish.  Thank you so much for the encouraging words to keep me focused and on track.  You are my motivation and drive to finish this darn thing...before I'm 50.  Which is actually closer than I want it to be.

One Year Down & One to Go!

A year come and gone.  Some say it has been so fast.  Ummm, not so sure about that.  Somedays it seems quick and others it seems longer than a year.  All I know it is truly worth the sacrifice to watch who he has become.  Amazing how you forget about yourself and think about others and watch the progress and love take over.  He's doing awesome.  He has made us so proud.  He's a wonderful son, and an even more amazing missionary.  We love you so much Elder Clayton!  Happy Hump Day!

 Right before he left, one last ride on the scooter!

Packed and ready to go.  All he needs for two years in three small bags. Good luck Bridger!

 A true tender mercy.  Greeted at the MTC by one of his buddies, Elder Rose.  

Made it somewhat easier leaving him in such familiar hands.

Telling Dad goodbye!

 One last hug, hope it will last for two years.  I still cry when I see this darn picture?!?

 Him and his companion, do they send them at age 12 when they are natives???

Love this boy/man!

Showing his fun personality as always.

McDonald's in Honduras, he says the fries taste them same.  They look the same!

 Another answer to prayers was this young man, Elder Peterson.  Truly a brother from another mother

The Peterson's whom we have grown to love and cherish through this entire experience.  One of the choicest blessings of Elder Clayton's service.

Two moms sharing the same experience.  Love Letia, she's so awesome.  I'm just certain we met in heaven and knew we'd find each other on earth.  It took our sons to get us reunited.  

What a difference a year makes.  I have a hard time sitting down to write my feelings without tears running down my face.  It has been a year full of faith.  Who knew that 20 years ago when they placed that little boy in my arms that I would indeed send him to a land to teach his fellow brothers and sisters what he learned all of his life.  When he was little I worried about him having friends to sit and eat lunch with, play at recess with and others being kind to him.  Now I pray for his safety, that people will be kind to him and that he knows how much we love and miss him here at home.  I sent a boy out into the mission field and I have watched that boy become a man.  I am certain he has experienced things he will not tell me about until his arrival back home.  But, with every fiber of my being I know what he is doing is true and right.  That it is making and molding him into the man he is to be for the rest of his life.  I couldn't be more proud.  I pray every day, several times of day for his safety and that he is well and happy.  With every email that comes I am assured that he is fine and pictures show he is happy.  For that I am eternally thankful.  I have had several tender mercies from a loving Father in Heaven that keeps assuring me he is in His hands.  

I am so looking forward to the next year.  They say it goes by faster, that I am hoping.  Although with his year coming to a close, it will bring us closer to sending Stetson out on his mission.  Thank you so much for following his journey and asking how he is doing and meaning it.  We have truly been watched over and protected for his service.  A sacrifice for all, and yet I wouldn't want him anywhere else.

Stetson - As Unique & Awesome as his Name

Stetson - Happy 18th Birthday!  Hard to believe that our 2nd boy has turned 18.  These are a few pictures that were taken over the summer for a photo shoot of photography students.  Stetson's pa from trek needed a model and who better than Stetson.  He has always been such a great boy and now young man.  In fact, just this week a mutual friend who works with him and didn't know that he was my son found out when we walked in to have dinner at Salt City Burger Co.  She went home to tell her mom about this coincidence and her mom told me how she had mentioned this really nice boy at work.  Needless to say it was my boy.  Not surprising.  He has always been so kind and polite and I have witnessed this many times.  Good luck to you pal in all you do.  The world is yours and you can accomplish whatever it is that you desire.  We are so proud of you and are honored to have you as our son.  I have been so blessed and lucky to be your mom!

Feliz Cumpleanos, Happy Birthday Bridger

Holy cow where does the time go. Twenty years came and went so quickly. I love this boy/man. Can I even say that. He will always be my little boy, but I can't hardly say that without tear filled eyes. Bridger is such a great son and missionary. We are truly blessed to have him as ours forever.

We received an email from Bridger on Monday, the day before his b-day and he had gotten his package. I had asked him if possible to wait to open his box until his actual b-day but I knew he probably wouldn't. Who could, right? When Tuesday came as I said my morning prayers I asked that somehow, someone would know it was his b-day and make it fun for him in some way.

After work I went to Parsons Bakery and picked up some brownies to light candles and have our own celebration for him. Not until Stetson came home and looked on Facebook what a fun tender mercy was waiting for us to see. I will not know the details until next email, but they say a picture is worth a 1000 words, and in this case, tears. My prayers were answered even more than I could have imagined. Here's the proof. Stetson's words were, "Mom, they must really love him!" I couldn't agree more. Enjoy...

Happy Birthday Pal! We love you and know you are loved as you serve your fellow brothers and sisters in Honduras. Here's to a wonderful 20th year.

Stake Conference

Today was our semi annual Stake Conference. I love it. I find it very refreshing to have a couple of hours to hear words of wisdom from our local leaders. I am fortunate enough to be able to know our entire Stake Presidency due to my calling in the Stake Primary. Some people think that Stake Conference is a "free" Sunday to skip church. Their loss. I have never been sorry I go. Today was no exception.

Seems like their is always an almost theme to the meeting. Maybe there isn't but to me the theme today was Family. President Gardner talked about the Fiery Darts that are attacking the family and how important it is to not let them in our homes. He reminded us of the important messages found in the Proclamation to the Family. President Farnes talked about three things to help us as parents: 1. Listen to our children. Even perhaps having a one on one often to just listen to what they have to say. 2. Leave the storm at the door. Do not bring things into our home that are harmful and not good for anyone. And 3. Be an example to our children. If we want our kids to do what is right, we have to be an example of what we expect of them. He also gave the three things for the kids to follow: 1. Listen to your parents, 2. Put your coat on before you enter the storm and 3. be an example. I loved his talk. He always says such wonderful things and relates personal stories of his family and the things they teach him. President Webster, our Stake President talked in depth about the importance of reading the scriptures, family prayer and then gave the entire stake a president's blessing. He blessed that our families would be protected and if we would do these things he mentioned our families would be blessed.

I always leave with the desire and committment to be better. I can always improve on the things I am supposed to be doing. And who doesn't want the blessings promised if we do what was asked?

I'm so glad we were there today. It was a wonderful meeting.

Arizona, I Have an Awesome Job

This last week my job took me on a work "vacation" conference to Arizona. I know rough, right? It was a pretty hard assignment heading to 70-75 degree weather in the midst of freezing January in Utah. We went to the Damon Forum which is the type of brackets we use in our office. I have a wonderful job. So glad I trusted in the promptings to take a leap of faith and change careers. Truly a great decision. Here are a few of the pictures that show you just how awesome it is there.

I hope we have to go again soon...

Singing in the Rain

Each week I email Bridger a letter and anxiously await hearing from him and seeing what happened during his week as he reads what has happened in ours. I still try to send him a written letter about every 2-3 weeks. These letters are usually little bits of advice or things from his life that brings back memories that I write about that may or may not help him when he receives the letter...no matter how long it takes to get him. No time letter, so it doesn't mean anything if it takes a long time to get there. So, today I pulled out a piece of paper and began my letter. I thanked him for taking time to write a letter to his dad. There is nothing that is more exciting than opening the mailbox and finding a letter from Elder Clayton. Bonus mail day in my opinion. So, I told him about that. How excited his dad is when he got that and even more so when he tells his friends and collegues about his son. Then I told him how much I love the picture he sent of him in his rain outfit/coat. As I was writing about it and everytime I think or see the picture I find myself singing the song, "Singing in the Rain" and remembering how happy it makes me as I hear the words in my mind. Today it made me think also about how in life, rain is always going to happen. Our job is to be able to learn how to sing and dance in it. Thank you Elder Clayton for teaching me a such a valuable lesson with such a fun picture.